->''"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."''-->-- '''[[TropeNamers Obi-Wan Kenobi]]''', ''Franchise/StarWars Episode IV: Film/ANewHope''

Not everyone in fiction goes out the same way. While some people may scream, [[SayYourPrayers or pray]], [[DyingCurse or curse and rage]], or act terrified, for some characters that sort of thing is just... [[NotAfraidToDie out of character]]. So instead their death is an unusually calm moment, where they take their last few seconds and use them to reassure the people they're leaving behind or find one last moment of peace before they GoIntoTheLight. Sometimes they [[GoOutWithASmile just smile at their surviving companion]], fire off one last one-liner at their killer, say that ItHasBeenAnHonor, or admit that ThisIsGonnaSuck. Usually goes on into PeacefulInDeath, if the body does not dissolve or otherwise be destroyed.

This usually pops up with TheObiWan ([[TropeNamers naturally]]), the ZenSurvivor, or any other character who has lived like they were NotAfraidToDie. May also happen with villains in a DissonantSerenity situation. This may also be an indication that the character's death was not only [[MyDeathIsJustTheBeginning planned]], but in fact [[ThanatosGambit is a part of the larger picture of the story]]. Because of this, he will naturally FaceDeathWithDignity. May happen if the person is about to perform a HeroicSacrifice or has already done it but death was not instant.

[[TropeNamer Named after]] a comment made on the ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'' director's commentary track at the death of a major mentor figure, in reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi of ''Franchise/StarWars''.

Naturally, this being a {{Death Trope|s}}, '''there are massive spoilers ahead.'''

----!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]* In ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross'', Roy Focker is mortally wounded by shrapnel. In supreme badass fashion Focker doesn't even see a medic, he just goes back to his quarters and plays some guitar before falling over dead.* If you look very closely in the final episode of ''Anime/{{Noir}}'', [[spoiler:Altena]] briefly smiles up at [[spoiler:Kirika and Mirielle]] as she's [[spoiler:falling to her death]], leading some to think that the finale of the series was actually planned as part of a massive {{plan}}.* In ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', right before dying, [[spoiler:Kamina]] takes a moment to reassure Simon and [[spoiler:reverse his earlier message of "Don't believe in yourself! Believe in me, who believes in you!" to "Believe in yourself. Not in me, who believes in you, not in you, who believes in me. Believe in Simon, who believes in himself!"]].** [[spoiler:Nia]] decided not only to not force Simon into abusing Spiral Power to keep her alive but also to treasure her last moments with him rather than regretting the time they are not going to be able to spend together. Oh, they treasure them alright.** Also [[spoiler:Kittan]] who stops a Spiral Power-neutralising trap using an attack up till that point exclusively used by Simon, and leaves by [[spoiler:laughing quietly to himself about how great Spiral Power is]].* [[spoiler:Spike]] from ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' after being fatally wounded goes out with a smile, a simple hand-gesture and a single word to the stunned onlookers: [[spoiler:"Bang!"]] [[ShrugOfGod Maybe.]]* Angemon's [[DeathIsCheap "death"]] in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'', where he willingly sacrifices himself to eliminate Devimon, then smiles at Takeru and says, "I'll come back if you want me to," was pretty powerful for a kids show.* ''OnePiece'' is a skilled user of this trope, with many characters who die preferring to GoOutWithASmile. The Pirate King Gold Roger kicked off the series by smiling (on the execution platform, no less) and telling the world that whoever wants his treasure can have it if they can find it. The highlight though was the death of Nami & Nojiko's mother, Bellemere. Willingly sacrificing herself for the continued safety of her daughters, a gun pointed at her head, her final words to them before death were "Nojiko! Nami! I love you!"** It becomes a defining trait of people who carry "The Will of D". When Luffy is about to be killed by Buggy the Clown he grins and apologizes to his friends that this looks like the end. While it isn't and Luffy is saved by DeusExMachina he had no way of knowing this. Smoker sees the resemblance between Luffy and Roger's actions. Likewise [[spoiler:Ace despite trying desperately to survive for his brother and crew is happy to die as he saved Luffy and dies with a smile on his face.]] This is one of the reasons that White Beard calls Black Beard out, saying that Black Beard fears death and isn't one of the people Roger waits for.** Mr. 2 Bon Clay, despite having a tearful goodbye to Luffy and the inmates of Impel Down faces his certain death at the hands of Magellan with a grin on his face, telling the Warden that he has no regrets. [[spoiler: He didn't actually die, though]].** [[spoiler: Whitebeard himself]] does this after taking down hundreds of Navy soldiers [[spoiler: despite having a giant hole in his chest]]. He definitely got the last laugh: His last words were [[spoiler: to reveal that One Piece exists to the world, thus jumpstarting new age of pirates.]] His last thoughts were [[spoiler: to smile at the fact that he achieved his greatest treasure and dream in life: a loving family.]]* In the ''{{Trigun}}'' manga, Wolfwood sits and shares one last drink with Vash in the rubble outside the orphanage he grew up in and just saved from destruction. The last thing he sees before he dies is confetti thrown by the children as they fly to safety welcoming him home.* In a hopeless situation while trying to give her friends time to escape in one arc of ''VisualNovel/HigurashiNoNakuKoroNi'', Rena stares down the BigBad as she holds a gun on her, laughing at her plans until the end.** In the manga, Keiichi does one as well [[spoiler:while time is frozen around everyone]]. He notes that he's going to die anyway, so his friends have to abandon him to his unavoidable fate in order to live. [[spoiler:Becomes a bit of a downer when they do abandon him and he STILL dies]].** In ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', Clair also gets a very serene Obi-Wan Moment. After she's slashed through by Will, she actually curtsies as she dissolves into the stage.* In ''SonicX'' (and the video game ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' which the anime was based on) just before being ejected into space and blown up ([[DIsneyDeath not really]]) Sonic looks at his friends, says "hey, it's okay" before telling Tails to finish what he started. He's still smiling as he's blown out of the Space Station. Tails finishes what he started. Awesomely.--> "For the first time, Sonic has asked me to do something for him... I won't give up! I won't let him down!"** E-102 Gamma in the ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' adaptation beforehand, after getting mortally wounded by his defeated brethen E-101 Beta, he exclaims in horror as the fellow bot explodes, only to express relief when his animal battery emerges safe, before shutting down himself. Granted Gamma is a robot with limited sentience, but since his final emotion was "relief" it still counts.-->'''Gamma:''' I'm relieved...Gamma: Mission Complete....* Done by Captain Falcon in the ''VideoGame/FZero'' anime, just before [[MemeticMutation its most]] [[MegatonPunch famous scene]].* Nuriko in ''FushigiYuugi'' falls under this trope. He was smiling at the time he died.** Emperor Hotohori as well. He spoke to all his friends (who happened to be in ''another world altogether'' at the time), reassuring them and also asking his love interest, [[spoiler:Miaka]], to 'be happy'.* In the anime version (but [[SchrodingersCat not the manga]]) of ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth'', after having defeated [[spoiler:Nova]] and released [[spoiler:Lantis from the [[MechanicalLifeforms Rune God]] Regalia]], [[spoiler:AntiVillain Eagle Vision]] has a few moments to smile serenely, and think of Hikaru and Lantis as [[spoiler:[[BigBad Debonair]] destroys his already damaged [[HumongousMecha FTO]]]]. Cue Hikaru's UnstoppableRage.* A rather... special one happens in ''Anime/MaiHime''. More exactly, when [[spoiler:Haruka tosses her red badge at Yukino]] before she disappears. Though the one above is the most extreme, the cause of most deaths in ''[=Mai-HiME=]'' allow many characters to know when its coming and take it peacefully. Two characters, [[spoiler:Natsuki and Yukariko]], even bring about [[spoiler:their own deaths]] as it's the only way to save the world.* Sousuke's mother from ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'', as revealed from his [[BadDreams nightmares]] and in his backstory. The plane he and she were on crashed in the middle of snowy mountains, and apparently all the rest of the passengers died. They were huddled together, and she protected him from the cold. During Kalinin's rescue mission, although they were able to take Sousuke out of the plane in time, the part of the plane Sousuke's mother was on crumbled, and she ended up falling to her death. She yells out to him, [[GoOutWithASmile with a sad smile on her face]], that he must live, never give up, and to fight. It certainly gives a bit of explanation as to why he's so bent on being CrazyPrepared and becoming the CrazySurvivalist he is today.** [[spoiler: Gates]] from The Second Raid. As Sousuke uses his Lambda driver to disintegrate [[spoiler:Gates' Arm Slave]], the guy calmly looks at a strand of his hair and says "Look's like I need a haircut", and is subsequently [[spoiler:erased from existence]].* [[spoiler: [[CrazyAwesome Jack Rakan]]]] in MahouSenseiNegima spends his last moments apologizing to the KidHero for not being able to fix his generations problems, and then telling his killer that it was fun, and [[BloodKnight his killer should really learn to enjoy this sort of thing]].** He then temporarily [[spoiler:comes back from non-existence]] solely to [[spoiler:[[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan smack Negi]]]] for attempting to use his SuperpoweredEvilSide, and to give some final advice, essentially having two consecutive {{Obi Wan Moment}}s. And then he just can't stay away, since it seems he's back permanently thanks to [[spoiler:Negi's bunch using the Master Key who brought everyone affected by the Keys back]].* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' has [[spoiler:General Grumman]]. His reaction to the [[spoiler:Amestris circle activating, ripping out his soul and countless others]] is to calmly say, "Drat. It's begun. Ashes...to...ashes..." [[spoiler:Also, like everyone else who lost his soul, [[UnexplainedRecovery he gets better]].]]** There was also [[spoiler:Buccaneer]], who smiles and salutes his men just before his death, saying that he'll "be leaving early for a place higher than the peaks of Briggs".** And [[spoiler:Bradley]]. His last words, paraphrased: "[[spoiler:Because of humans...towards the end...it was a life worth living.]]"** Seemingly done to finalize the contrast between Father and [[spoiler:Van Hohenheim]] who father based his appearance from and whose actions and the opposite of each other's. While Father screams at his end and desperately tries to fight for survival before he is swallowed by the Truth, [[spoiler: Hohenheim simply collapses in front of his wife's grave with a smile on his face.]]* This is how Lelouch goes at the end of ''Anime/CodeGeass'', reassuring Suzaku that what they're doing is for the best and giving Nunnally one last smile. Of course, it's kind of strained by the fact that he's been stabbed through the chest and is (apparently rather painfully) bleeding out, but it's still generally what he was doing.** [[WildMassGuessing Is it]] [[EpilepticTrees how he goes?]] [[LetNoCrisisGoToWaste Either]] [[TheStrategist way]], [[TheChessMaster all]] [[MagnificentBastard according]] [[AllAccordingToPlan to]] [[ThanatosGambit plan]].** Earlier in season 2, Urabe gives one of these to Zero and Kallen before his HeroicSacrifice to stop Rolo in a TakingYouWithMe attempt and allow his comrades to escape. He calmly deflates his protective vest while apologizing in thought to Rakshata.* Jiraiya from ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. After a particularly grueling battle against (then) Akatsuki Leader Pain that involved Nagato bringing all six of them together to beat him (considering 1 of them can take on several Jonin Shinobi easily, needing all of them to kill someone speaks greatly for their skill/threat level), Jiraiya is impaled 5 times and dropped into the deep waters below. As he sinks, he grimly smiles and references a Japanese proverb[[note]]"The frog at the bottom of the well knows nothing about the vast ocean" which is about how limited your knowledge of the world is if you don't get out and explore a little. What Jiraiya said as he was dying was "The frog at the bottom of the well drifts off into the vast ocean"[[/note]] accepting his death. Bonus points for the StealthPun of the proverb being about a frog, his animal symbol.* In ''Manga/DragonBall Z'', Goku smiles as he bids his friends farewell saying, "Bye bye, minna" before teleporting a bloated Cell into Kaioh-sama's world. Goku, Kaioh-sama, [[MichaelJackson Bubbles]] and Gregory die when Cell explodes.** Also, Android 16. Having been blown up by Cell previously, his severed head gives Gohan a final word of encouragement, telling him to fight Cell. He keeps on smiling even as Cell walks up to crush him with his foot.* Jean from ''{{Claymore}}'' goes out this way while [[spoiler: she uses the last of her yoki to help Clare revert back from her half-Awakened state, reassuring Clare that she has finally repaid her debt to Clare after she saved her from the same fate and that [[ItHasBeenAnHonor she was glad to have met her]].]]* In ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', Hades chapter, Virgo Shaka elaborates on the ephemeral nature of life, and how death is only another step, as he is assassinated by the three gold saints. Extra points for him staying in lotus position all the way through it, much in a Buddha-like manner. It is later revealed that accepting death was needed for one to freely wander in the realms of Hades.* In the midst of the entire slaughter that was the Eclipse, Judeau's death in ''{{Berserk}}'' was particularly heartbreaking, in that he spends his final moments talking to Casca, who he was secretly in love with but never got the chance to tell her his feelings. Instead, he spends it reminding her that her true love, Guts, loved her. He dies less horrifically than the rest of his comrades, dying instead from the injuries he sustained while trying to protect Casca.* In ''Manga/HunterXHunter'', Kite and Gon's reunion is horrifyingly cut short when Neferpitou senses Kite's strength and decides to use the Hunter to test his own power. Kite loses an arm when he is distracted trying to warn Gon and Killua to run. After Killua knocks Gon out to keep him from [[LeeroyJenkins attacking Neferpitou]], Kite urges them to get away as fast as possible. Kite then calmly conjures a weapon as he prepares for a fight he knows he can't win.* [[spoiler:[[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Surprisingly, Kyoko]]]] of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' does one of these before her HeroicSacrifice, promising [[spoiler:Sayaka]] that they'll be TogetherInDeath and inadvertently reminding [[spoiler:Homura]] of her own mission. [[spoiler:Madoka]] has a lengthier ([[HoYay and even more subtextual]]) last conversation with [[spoiler:Homura]], reassuring her that things will work out and they'll probably see each other again. Both of them GoOutWithASmile.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]* In ''[[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic Universe]]'' issue #3, E-102 Gamma confronts E-123 Omega and Gamma is shown to easily overpower Omega despite Gamma being such a weaker unit. He realizes Omega would be a better choice to return to GUN with and quickly implants a virus in Omega that grants him emotions just before Omega obliterates him. As he's doing this, though, he's telling Omega that he could destroy his body, but not his soul. [[TemptingFate Omega's response?]] "[[TheSoulless Robots don't have souls.]]" He gets one.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]* [[spoiler:Jim Stanton]] in ''WesternAnimation/BattleForTerra'', after blowing up the [[spoiler:terraformer]] tries to pull up in [[spoiler:his]] fighter in order to OutrunTheFireball, then relents, closes his eyes, and peacefully lets the flames catch up to [[spoiler:him]].* Master Oogway in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'', who much like Obi Wan seems to AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence rather than do anything so crude as to actually ''die''; in this case, he fades into a cloud of cherry blossoms blown up by the wind.* [[spoiler: [[EvilAlbino Shen]]]] actually does this at the end of ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'', just as [[spoiler:he is about to be crushed by his now-destroyed cannon]].* Subverted at the end of ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'', where all of Andy's (remaining) toys all appear to do this as they are all about to be burned alive in [[spoiler: the Incinerator]], but then they are all rescued by the Aliens and their crane.* In ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians'', as Pitch fires an arrow at [[spoiler:Sandman]], the latter is getting consumed by the nightmare, [[spoiler:he]] first glares at Pitch and then calmly closes [[spoiler:his]] eyes. [[spoiler:[[UnexplainedRecovery He gets better]]]].[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'':** The T-800 calmly lets Sarah Connor lower him into molten steel and gives a thumbs up before being completely immersed This is in stark contrast to the deaths of [[spoiler:the T-1000, who screams and flails in pain the whole time]].** Miles Dyson sets off a bomb so that with his death everyone had a chance to get out of danger, so he sort of qualifies.* ''Franchise/StarWars'':** The TropeNamer, of course, is Obi-Wan Kenobi of original trilogy, and the brief second of eye contact he makes with Luke right before Darth Vader kills him in ''Film/ANewHope''.-->[[TheObiWan Obi]]-[[BadAssGrandpa Wan]]: "''[[BadAssBoast If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine]].''"** Creator/LiamNeeson got a variant of this trope as Qui-Gon Jinn in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'', calmly meditating before his final, brief duel with [[spoiler:Darth Maul]] when their fight is [[MidBattleTeaBreak briefly interrupted]] by the shifting of some laser doors. This is a case where he didn't necessarily know that he'd be dying, but likely considered the possibility.* During [[spoiler:Ra's al Ghul]]'s death in ''Film/BatmanBegins'', he closes his eyes as the train's about to hit the tower and kill him. Looks like [[spoiler:Liam Neeson]] [[ChronicallyKilledActor likes this way of dying in films]].* While fighting the Phoenix in ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'', [[spoiler:Xavier]] briefly smiles at Wolverine before being disintegrated. And at the [[AfterTheCredits very end]] of the movie it turns out [[spoiler:Xavier's NotQuiteDead]].* Roy Batty in ''Film/BladeRunner'', whose quiet resignation was a sharp contrast to Pris and Zhora's shrieking wrath.* [[TheSpock Mr. Spock's]] HeroicSacrifice death near the end of ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan''. Given that Spock is a (half-)Vulcan, it's perfectly in character.* Nero of the 2009 ''Film/StarTrek'' movie quietly faces his death, even as his ship is ripped apart around him as it sits halfway in a black hole. He was offered the opportunity to escape, but chose to go down with his ship.* ''Film/KillBill'' had a similar contrast between Bill's muted acceptance and Elle's desperate outrage.* ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'': Jack Sparrow, left behind on a sinking ship with an angry kraken, simply smiles, draws his sword and lunges at it. "Hello Beastie."* ''Film/TheLastStarfighter'' so completely cripples the [[spoiler:Ko-Dan mothership]] that it winds up on an unstoppable [[spoiler:collision course for one of Rylos' moons]]. When Lord Kril is asked "What do we do?", he straightens up, closes his monocle-thing, and calmly replies "We die." [[spoiler:And then they do.]]* In ''{{Cyborg 2}}'', Jack Palance is the leader of the underground railroad helping to smuggle cyborgs out from under the control of the Pinwheel Corporation. At the end of the film, the CorruptCorporateExecutive captures him, brings him to his office, and gloats that he's just sent the self-destruct signal to blow up the cyborg heroine (Angelina Jolie!). Instead, it's Palance who starts ticking, and with a smirk he proclaims "looks like you kissed the wrong ass goodbye!" before blowing the BigBad and his corporate headquarters sky-high.* In ''ClashOfTheTitans'', Draco is mortally wounded during the fight with Medusa. Aware his time his short, he uses the last of his strength to stall and weaken her. Confident that Perseus could finish what they started, the normally stern Draco gives the hero a peaceful smile, reminding him to tell all that, "men did this." Medusa then turns him to stone and shatters his body.* At the end of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnTwoEarths'', the ultra-fatalistic Owlman realizes he's about to be blown up, smiles very slightly, and softly utters his CatchPhrase: "It doesn't matter."* Holmes in ''Film/SherlockHolmesAGameOfShadows'' wasn't afraid to exchange his life for his friend's. He genuinely and sadly looks at Watson like he's saying "Goodbye, John."* [[spoiler:Pvt. Witt]] in ''TheThinRedLine''.* ''Film/ThreeHundred'':-->'''Stelios:''' It is an honor to die by your side.--> '''Leonidas:''' It is an honor to have lived by yours.* ''Film/{{Tron}}'': When [[TheDragon Sark's]] forces come to arrest the old program Dumont, he stares them down and greets them as he would programs seeking contact with their Users, a ''major'' blasphemy in the totalitarian system.** Also, before [[spoiler:Flynn]] performs his [[spoiler:attempted]] HeroicSacrifice, he instructs the onlooker not to worry.* ''Film/BladeII'' gives the same moment to a villain after long, eventful battle with Blade: "It hurts. It hurts no more." -- as he actually slides the knife deeper into his heart himself.* In ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon'' Li Mu Bai faces death in a rather obiwanesque fashion.* In [[TheFilmOfTheBook the movie version of]] ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'', [[spoiler:Sirius]]. He has this funny look on his face, like, "Well, huh. How about that. Oh, well. Guess I'll see you later..."* ''Film/ChildrenOfMen'': "Pull my finger."* [[spoiler:[[Creator/GerardButler Clyde Shelton]]]] in ''Film/LawAbidingCitizen'', after realizing that [[spoiler:Nick Rice]] has placed his own bomb next to him and locked him in the room, takes out a picture of [[spoiler:his dead family]] and looks at it in quiet acceptance, as he's engulfed by the flames.* ''Film/AFistfulOfDynamite'' had a rather interesting variation with [[spoiler: John Mallory. After successfully ''blowing up a train'', he gets shot and fatally wounded. We get a brief tear-jerking conversation between him and Juan Miranda... and then he promptly blows himself up]].* At the end of ''Film/EnemyAtTheGates'', [[spoiler: König]] does this, when he realizes that [[spoiler: Zaitzev]] tricked him and has the drop on him.* It wasn't used in the final film, but just before his death in ''Film/TwentyEightWeeksLater'', Doyle winks to the kids.* The old wizard Ulrich does it ''twice'' in ''Film/{{Dragonslayer}}''. First, he invites an enemy to stab him as a test of his magic, and then gives the guy a knowing smile before he falls. Then he stands on a mountaintop and lets the dragon catch him in its claws.* In Film/TheMatrixRevolutions, both [[spoiler: Neo and The Oracle]] calmly submit to Smith before they are assimilated.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* [[spoiler: Rachel]] in Literature/{{Animorphs}} demorphs right before she's killed in order to smile at [[spoiler: Tobias]] and tell him that she loves him.* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', when Gandalf looks at the other members of the Fellowship and tells them to "''fly, you fools!''" before letting go and falling with the Balrog. And even though he [[DeathIsCheap eventually does come back]] even if he thought it might not be permanent he wasn't sure at the time.* [[spoiler:Dumbledore]] in ''Literature/HarryPotter'' is a DoubleSubversion. At first, it appears he's pleading with his killer to spare him. In the next book, it's revealed that [[spoiler:his death had been planned by both of them for almost a year, and he was pleading for Snape to honor his word and actually do it.]]** And then [[spoiler:Harry himself]] repeats the feat in ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows The Deathly Hallows]]'' when he finds out that the only way Voldemort can be beaten is if Harry is killed by him. After assuring that there are people who have the necessary information to kill Voldemort, he has a peaceful moment with the ghosts of his loved ones. He then confronts the Dark Lord accepting his fate and not even using his wand to defend himself. [[spoiler: Of course, [[UnexplainedRecovery he gets better]].]]* In ''WarAndPeace'', both of Pierre's mentors, [[TheObiWan Osip Bazdeev]] and [[EccentricMentor Platon Karataev]], die in this way. Osip, in his bed with Pierre by his side. Platon, [[spoiler:shot by the French]], having intentionally fallen behind in a [[spoiler:POW forced march]]. Both scenes are described as them dying with a certain dignity.* Tirandys in P.C. Hodgell's Literature/ChroniclesOfTheKencyrath spends his last wounded moments telling his protege and surrogate child Jame that she did right, before ending his own life with the [[OneHitKill Ivory Knife]].* [[spoiler:Root]] in Literature/ArtemisFowl does this towards Holly. Not a surprise considering the [[spoiler:father/daughter]] relationship between said person and Holly.* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' plays this off brilliantly with [[spoiler: Shiro]]. It's one thing to take a killing blow, it's another thing to volunteer to be tortured to death, then still smile at the protagonist later on your death bed and offer some helpful words of advice.* There are several of these moments in the Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse. [[Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy Thrawn]] smiled. [[OutboundFlight Lorana and Thrass]] [[HoldingHands took each others' hand]]. [[Literature/DeathStar Atour Riten]] stayed behind on the Death Star to give the others clearance and sat surrounded by his books. [[ManchurianAgent Diric Wesseri]] held [[XWingSeries his wife's]] hand. [[XWingSeries Ton Phanan]] weakened and died very slowly, but he was still quietly DefiantToTheEnd and [[DeadManWriting wrote to his wingmate, telling him not to blame himself]]. In ''Literature/TheNewRebellion'', Luke didn't die, but he thought he would and acted in accordance to this trope, allowing himself to be killed rather than resorting to the Dark Side.* Mr. Vandemar's final shrug before he [[spoiler:lets go and is sucked through the door]] near the conclusion of ''Literature/{{Neverwhere}}'' is a prime villainous example.* ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' has at least two examples. When [[spoiler:the artist realizes there's a bomb on his ship]] and there's nothing he can do, he hugs his girlfriend and awaits the end. Likewise, [[spoiler: the newspaper seller instinctively moves to shield the comic-reading kid]] as a massive explosion engulfs them both. In a book that features quite a bit of HumansAreBastards, the second example above doubles as something of a SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}}.** There is also [[spoiler: Rorschach]]'s death. He starts out like this, cooly accepting the logic of his own death under the circumstances. But he breaks from the trope at the last moment; with tears streaming down his face he screams at his hesitant killer to "DO IT!"* In ''Literature/StarTrekDestiny'', both T'Lana (of the ''Literature/StarTrekTheNextGenerationRelaunch'') and Charivretha zh'Thane (from the ''Literature/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineRelaunch'') die like this, peacefully accepting their fate when they're caught in the bombardment of Vulcan and Andor, respectively.* TerryBrooks does this in ''[[TheSwordOfShannaraTrilogy The Wishsong of Shannara]]'' between Allanon and Brin, whose last act in this world is to ensure Brin can carry on without him and to pass on a blood inheritance to ensure one of her descendents can resurrect the druid power he's [[LastOfHisKind taking out of the world by dying]].* In Literature/LesMiserables, when [[spoiler: Grantaire]] wakes up to find [[spoiler: Enjolras]] at the wrong end of a firing squad, he walks past the soldiers and gently asks for [[spoiler: Enjolras']] [[FamousLastWords permission to die beside him]]. [[/folder]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]* ''Series/{{Lexx}}'''s [[spoiler:Zev and Lyekka]] both smile and reassure their friends before dying. The latter is resurrected, only to choke out ''another'' comforting goodbye one episode later.--> "If you cry, you lose the memory of our love..."* ''Series/DoctorWho'':** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E12TheStolenEarth "The Stolen Earth"]], [[spoiler:Harriet Jones]] doesn't go out with crying and cursing, but with [[spoiler:her CatchPhrase]], making her last scene not only a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome, but also a SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}}.--->[[spoiler:'''Harriet Jones:''' Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister.]]\\[[spoiler:'''Dalek:''' [[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Yes, we know who you are. ]]]]\\[[spoiler:'''Harriet Jones:''' Oh you know nothing of any human. And that will be your downfall.]]** [[spoiler:The 9th Doctor]] gives Rose a grateful smile to show he's finally made peace with his pain and personal demons before being engulfed in golden energy and [[spoiler:regenerating into the 10th]].** The First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Doctors also go out without a fuss, after reassuring their companions.** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E13LastOfTheTimeLords "Last of the Time Lords"]], [[spoiler:the Master]] smiles at the Doctor as he calmly dies [[spoiler:having refused to regenerate after being shot]]. Of course, his death is essentially a big "screw you" to the Doctor, and he apparently had plans in place for his resurrection.** And Captain Jack Harkness in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E10TheDoctorDances "The Doctor Dances"]]. He sits there rather calmly even though a bomb is about to destroy the ship he's on. Of course he's rescued, but there's no way he could have known that would happen.** In ''Flesh and Stone'', Father Octavian winds up with a Weeping Angel about to break his neck as soon as the Doctor looks away, and no way to release him. He takes it well.-->'''Father Octavian:''' I will die in the knowledge that my courage did not desert me at the end. For that I thank God, and bless the path that takes you to safety. -->'''The Doctor:''' I wish I'd known you better. -->'''Father Octavian:''' I think, sir, you knew me at my best. * In ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'', when [[spoiler:Owen Harper]] knows he's about to die, [[spoiler:and this time he can't come back]], he at first reacts with DoNotGoGentle, and taking the "rage against the dying of the light" bit UpToEleven. But he ends up this way. And then [[spoiler: Tosh]] who is talking to him over a radio communicator convinces him to go out this way, and that's while ''she's also dying'', and not long after, she also does her own version.* In ''Series/TrueBlood'', [[spoiler:Godric the vampire]] meets his own end by calmly staring into the sunrise. As if that wasn't enough, he then [[spoiler:comes back in later seasons as a spirit advisor (sort of)]] in true Obi-Wan style.* Series/TinMan: While he doesn't die [[spoiler: immediately]] after doing it, the Mystic Man smiles serenely and clasps Cain on the back before charging out to make his HeroicSacrifice, buying the heroes time to escape the Longcoats.* For someone so full of energy and excitement throughout his life, [[spoiler: Chris]] from ''Series/{{Skins}}'' has an oddly peaceful, serene look on his face when he dies in S2.* In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', [[spoiler:Ser Rodrik]] takes a moment to smile at and Reassure Bran right before he's executed by [[spoiler:Theon]], and says that he'll be with [[spoiler:Bran's father Ned Stark]] soon.* In ''Series/{{Lost}}'', [[spoiler: Charlie Pace]] meets [[spoiler: his watery]] death with truly admirable grace, and is even able to convey valuable information at the end.* Series/{{Farscape}} has a couple of these. [[spoiler:Talyn!John]] when dying of radiation poison smiles at Aeryn and says "I've never felt better" before dying. [[spoiler: Zhaan]] also goes out with a smile after giving her shipmates an encouraging speech.* It would almost be easier to count the number of characters in ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|Reimagined}}'' who ''don't'' go out this way. [[spoiler:Roslin, Anders, Gaeta, Tom Zerick, D'Anna Biers, the Simon in ''The Plan'', and Admiral Caine all go out in this fashion. Starbuck has ''two'' stoic deaths and Cylons who expect to resurrect often go quietly. Even Dee could count, as she rather calmly and deliberately blows her brains out.]]* [[spoiler: Kosh]] on ''Series/{{Babylon 5}}'': while suffering a painful death he's already resigned himself to by the Shadows as penalty for [[spoiler: getting the Vorlon fleet to directly engage the Shadows at Sheridan's request, which was against long-standing custom between these races, he contacts Sheridan in a vision as his father]] and tells him not to blame himself for his death, that he was not wrong to make the request he did of him, and apologizes for having lashed out at him for making it.** [[spoiler: Londo Mollari and G'Kar]] as they both performed their [[spoiler: mutual HeroicSacrifice, killing each other to ensure that Londo's awakened Keeper wouldn't force Londo to betray Sheridan and Delenn as they escaped Minbar]], in the flash-forward scene in "War Without End". At that point, the two were no longer enemies but friends, so [[spoiler: their long-prophesied strangling of each other was not actually out of violent anger (at least not until the Keeper woke up). Londo {{Lampshaded}} the Prophecy by saying "we have unfinished business, you and I", and he said "I'm sure you're as tired of your life as I am".]]** [[spoiler: Sheridan's]] farewell and going to his predicted death in the series finale. ** Centauri Emperor Turhan also faced his death with a graceful dignity. He wanted to make sure he could apologize to the Narn for their past occupation before he died, and make peace with them, which was why he came to Babylon 5--although that overture sadly failed due to the scheming of Londo and Refa. [[/folder]]

[[folder:Music]]* In Coheed and Cambria's song, "A Favor House Atlantic", Al the Killer goes out by telling the rest of his party to run while he holds the bad guys off with his sniper rifle. As they leave, he tells his love interest "Bye bye, beautiful, don't bother to write", and presumably dies.* This is the point of Megadeth's A Tout Le Monde.* Music/DavidBowie's "Space Oddity":-->"Tell my wife I love her very much."-->"She knows!"** [[SubvertedTrope Slightly subverted]] in that Major Tom doesn't die (as revealed a decade later in the song "Ashes to Ashes"). However, he believes he's about to, so it still counts.* Music/JohannSebastianBach composed a cantata entitled "Come, Sweet Death". He also supposedly went out calmly surrounded by people he loved. Considering his influence on later composers, it's understandable that he could die confident that his legacy would live on.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theater]]* At the end of ''Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'', [[spoiler:Sweeney essentially allows Toby]] to cut his throat, even unbuttoning his collar in some productions.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'': Just before his [[spoiler:ascent to the Farplane, Auron]] simply faces the party and proclaims, "This is your world now" before he fades away, content that he can finally rest in peace.** [[spoiler:Tidus]] himself, about to fade away, just smiles at [[spoiler:Yuna and ''dives off the airship.'']]** in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX-2'': [[spoiler:Lenne]] (and [[spoiler:Yuna]] as she dreams of the same scenario happen to her and Tidus) smiles reassuringly to [[spoiler:Shuyin]] right before they are both shot to death.* In ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'', when [[spoiler:Fei]] destroys Lahan, Alice calmly looks at herself as she is disintegrated. Also, Krelian calmly chooses to "become one with god" at the end which is equivalent to death, even after Fei pleads for him to come back to Earth and atone for his sins.* Rufus' death scene in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. Of course, in the movie sequel ''Advent Children'' it turns out [[spoiler:it was only a DisneyDeath.]]** Aerith's death in the same game when she dies in the Forgotten Capital.* Each of the Espers who sacrifices himself in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' does this.* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': [[spoiler:Raven]], after being defeated, furthers the plot in a cutscene, and then calmly allows himself to be [[spoiler: eaten alive by a flock of birds from which his name is derived]].** [[spoiler:Big Boss]] in the post-credits sequence of MetalGearSolid4.--> ''[[spoiler:"This is good, isn't it?"]]''* ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' has a small one around three quarters of the way through the game at the end of [[spoiler:Virmire, where you have a choice of saving either Ashley or Kaiden, and the one you leave behind will die in a nuclear explosion]]. Both of them argue that the other should be saved, and the only thing the condemned one has to say is "I don't regret a thing."** And in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', [[spoiler:Mordin Solus']] last words to Shepard and in general fit this. First he tells Shepard that he would have liked to study some seashells that her referenced earlier[[note]]he was talking about retiring[[/note]], and then later quietly sings to himself right before the explosion that kills him.--->[[KilledMidSentence "I am the very model of a--"]] ''''''--->That the line goes "I am the very model of a scientist salarian" [[TearJerker only makes it worse]]* In ''VideoGame/HalfLife2: Episode 2'' [[spoiler: Eli Vance]] calmly reassures his daughter and tells her to look away as he is slowly and inevitably dragged towards the alien lifeform that captured them all and impaled. A [[TearJerker great]] [[DownerEnding ending]].* ''HaloReach'' has a few:** [[spoiler:Noble Six]]: Calmly accepts their duty to ensure [[spoiler:the ''Pillar of Autumn'' escapes Reach, and watches silently as the starship lifts off]]. Then, without a second glance, moves to engage the entire Covenant assault force in the full knowledge that [[spoiler:s/he]] will die in the process.** [[spoiler:Jorge]]: Stays behind to ensure [[spoiler:the ''Long Night of Solace'' is destroyed]], exchanging final words with Six and giving him/her [[spoiler:his]] [[TragicKeepsake dog tags]]. "Tell 'em to make it count."** [[spoiler:Carter]]: Mortally wounded, covers Six and Emile as they head [[spoiler:towards the ''Autumn'']], then takes out a Scarab in their way by [[RammingAlwaysWorks slamming his Pelican into it]].*** Bonus points for [[spoiler:his]] last words: simply announcing over the radio "[[spoiler:Carter]] out."* Minor nod in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' - when a priest has taken the talent Spirit of Redemption, the tooltip description states that the Priest has become "more powerful than you can imagine". Enhanced by the fact that Guardian Spirits in Warcraft have a similar blue-white translucence to Jedi Force-spirits.* Xion in KingdomHearts - [[spoiler:She dies in Roxas' arms, after telling him that it was her choice to go away now and that she belongs with Sora.]]* At the end of ''Jak3Wastelander'' [[spoiler: Damas]] lies crushed beneath a car. Jak tells him to hold still and wants to get help, but [[spoiler: Damas]] merely tells him that it was a good fight and a good day to die. He goes on to say that [[ItHasBeenAnHonor he is very proud to have been by Jak's side at the end]], asks him to fulfill his [[LastRequest dying wish]] and then dies peacefully.** It's made into a pretty big tearjerker as [[spoiler: Damas' dying wish]] had already been fulfilled, but he didn't know about it. * At the end of ''CrisisCore'', it's over for Zack and he knows it, but he's got just enough left to pass on his sword and give Cloud a pep talk before getting absorbed by the Lifestream* Colonel Walter Whitworth in VideoGame/LoveAndWar goes out this way, reflecting that "another, greater adventure" is about to begin.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Web Comics ]]* [[spoiler:Syphile]], of all people, gets one of these in ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'':-->"Go ahead [[spoiler:mother]], and do what you do best. Do the only thing you know."* Eva, a secondary character in ''Webcomic/OurLittleAdventure'' has an [[ThisIsGonnaSuck especially cynical]] one. Though she was expecting her soul to [[GoIntoTheLight depart to her paladin goddess]], the final part of her death was [[AndIMustScream something]] [[DownerEnding not even she expected.]]* In ''BobAndGeorge'', [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/000715c Megaman tries to have one.]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* Jaller's death in ''{{BIONICLE}}: Mask of Light'' as he takes a Rahkshi attack to save Takua, knowing that Takua is TheChosenOne and destined to become the Toa of Light.-->'''Jaller''': You were always different.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* Possible ''TruthInTelevision'', in that Creator/{{Socrates}} is traditionally considered to have died in this way after being poisoned with hemlock. The issue is under contention since no one is exactly certain which "hemlock" it was. Enid Bloch's exhaustive essay [[http://nd.edu/~plato/bloch.htm ''Hemlock Poisoning and the Death of Socrates: Did Plato Tell the Truth?'']] suggests the plant was ''Conium maculatum'', which does cause a creeping paralysis and death in the manner described: "Socrates died gently and peacefully, just as Creator/{{Plato}} said he did. For Plato not only told the truth, he did so with astounding medical accuracy."* Reportedly Hannibal Barca, the great Carthaginian general, had a moment like this when the Roman legions who had been chasing him for years finally caught up for him, but rather than let them take him back to Rome he [[BetterToDieThanBeKilled took poison]] instead. His last words were reportedly "Let us relieve the Romans from the anxiety they have so long experienced, [[TakeThat since they think it tries their patience too much to wait for an old man's death]]."* Creator/SamKinison. The fact that he was blitzed out of his mind on several types of tranquilizers and cocaine might have had something to do with it.* After surviving the wreck of a jet car, ''TopGear'''s Richard Hammond said in a mutual interview with [[FormulaOne racing legend]] Sir Stirling Moss, who had survived a similar brain-damaging accident in 1962, that the sensation of being about to die was like getting to the end of a to-do list consisting of: 1) get in car, 2) drive car, [[BreadEggsMilkSquick 3) crash car, 4) die]]. "Oh, I've got to the 'die' bit." Moss said that in his case, when his steering sheared at 165+ mph and he found that he'd crossed his arms in front of him, something was wrong, and the only thing left on his mind was "Christ, what does it mean?"* In true [[DangerDeadpan Chuck Yeager]] fashion, the black boxes of many planes recorded how many pilots would remain calm and collected even as they knew the plane was going down, [[TearJerker in a truly dignified fashion.]]* Physicist RichardFeynman's LastWords? "I'd hate to die twice; it's so boring."* The (admittedly sparse) flight record data recovered from both the Challenger and Columbia wreckage indicated that the crew was calmly diagnosing and attempting to correct the problem of their ship disintegrating around them, even as they plunged to their deaths.* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrizio_Quattrocchi Fabrizio Quattrochi]], an Italian security officer taken hostage by Islamic militants in Iraq, shouted "''Vi faccio vedere come muore un Italiano!''" ("I'll show you how an Italian dies!") just before he was shot in the back of the neck by his captors. He was posthumously awarded Italy's Gold Medal for Civil Valor for that defiant remark.